Welby criticised over faith schools

The Archbishop of Canterbury's view that the UK is "a deeply Christian country" is a "self-serving claim" and his church is "banging the religious drum" , according to a secular campaign group.

The comments come after the Most Rev Justin Welby defended faith schools, pointing out they are often in the poorest parts of the country.

But the National Secular Society (NSS) said Church of England schools "prioritise evangelisation over serving the population who are steadily abandoning his pews".

Asked about Birmingham City Council's inquiry into an alleged plot by Muslim hard-liners to seize control of governing bodies, the Archbishop told the BBC: "I can't talk about other faith schools, but it isn't much of a danger in Church of England schools."

The Trojan Horse allegations first came to light earlier this year, contained in an anonymous and unsigned letter, and have prompted separate on-going investigations by both the Department for Education and Ofsted.

"The fundamentalism found in some minority schools is not seen in the Church's schools, as he says, but his Church is also banging the religious drum as hard as it can.

"He fails to point out that his schools, run entirely at public expense, prioritise evangelisation over serving the population who are steadily abandoning his pews."

The Most Rev Justin Welby reiterated his view that the UK is "a deeply Christian country".

But Mr Porteous Wood said this is a "self-serving claim" adding that Sunday attendance has declined.

He said: "The Church's Establishment is often used as a justification by those claiming this is 'a deeply Christian country'.

"But Establishment, which Archbishop Welby is understandably so keen to retain, is an anachronism which these statistics of decline show the CofE has no justification or entitlement to.

"The UK should abandon the dwindling group of countries with established churches."

The Archbishop told the BBC that Church of England schools continued to "love and serve" as they "have done for hundreds of years".

Archbishop Welby also defended the role of faith schools within the education system, saying they remained "a very good use of social capital".

He said: "The way it's done with Church of England schools is that it's an expression of our love and service to the community.

"People seem to choose these schools in large numbers. They are often in the poorest parts of the country. We seek to love and serve people, as we should, through these schools - and have done for hundreds of years."

The Archbishop also said Christian faith was reflected in the "whole way we approach our national life".

He said the UK's "systems of justice and health, the way we value people, the basic way we look at the human being and the dignity of the human being, reflects the values of Jesus Christ".

Adding: "We are a deeply Christian country in that way."

Comments (7)

I can't believe people like this still get airtime and media coverage. I totally resent my tax being spent on the indoctrination of kids with hocus pocus medieval cults that should have died out years ago.

Sadly the freedoms fought for by free world movements are being eroded by religious nutters and we're heading back to dark times as a result. Religious tolerance is a virtue that is overrated and should be questioned much more freely before we are overrun by fools.

I can't believe people like this still get airtime and media coverage. I totally resent my tax being spent on the indoctrination of kids with hocus pocus medieval cults that should have died out years ago.
Sadly the freedoms fought for by free world movements are being eroded by religious nutters and we're heading back to dark times as a result. Religious tolerance is a virtue that is overrated and should be questioned much more freely before we are overrun by fools.Viva Trowvegas

"He said the UK's "systems of justice and health, the way we value people, the basic way we look at the human being and the dignity of the human being, reflects the values of Jesus Christ"

Really? Banksters' bonuses, exploitation of the poor, children and elderly, lies, deceit, downright theft, using violence to steal valuable goods and resources such as oil...well anyways, I guess I could have been forgiven for assuming that the other guy was in charge.

"He said the UK's "systems of justice and health, the way we value people, the basic way we look at the human being and the dignity of the human being, reflects the values of Jesus Christ"
Really? Banksters' bonuses, exploitation of the poor, children and elderly, lies, deceit, downright theft, using violence to steal valuable goods and resources such as oil...well anyways, I guess I could have been forgiven for assuming that the other guy was in charge.Katie Re-Registered

who? that fairy tale character so beloved of the same mob that encouraged slavery, that stood in front of massed troops blessing them before they went off to slaughter more of their kind in the enemy ranks, all of which has been going on for two thousand years?

And he has the gall to say we should still be 'educating' our kids in schools dedicated to such falsity and fantasy?
The correct term Welby is...... INDOCTRINATING!

quote......
.........."reflects the values of Jesus Christ".
who? that fairy tale character so beloved of the same mob that encouraged slavery, that stood in front of massed troops blessing them before they went off to slaughter more of their kind in the enemy ranks, all of which has been going on for two thousand years?
And he has the gall to say we should still be 'educating' our kids in schools dedicated to such falsity and fantasy?
The correct term Welby is...... INDOCTRINATING!varteg1

This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....

This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....welshmen

welshmen wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....

'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.

Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.

[quote][p][bold]welshmen[/bold] wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....[/p][/quote]'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.
Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.varteg1

welshmen wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....

'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.

Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.

Your having ago at the wrong person, I wouldn't want any child to have religion rammed down their throats, read my post, Christian Based values we all live under except for others....

[quote][p][bold]varteg1[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]welshmen[/bold] wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....[/p][/quote]'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.
Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.[/p][/quote]Your having ago at the wrong person, I wouldn't want any child to have religion rammed down their throats, read my post, Christian Based values we all live under except for others....welshmen

welshmen wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....

'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.

Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.

Your having ago at the wrong person, I wouldn't want any child to have religion rammed down their throats, read my post, Christian Based values we all live under except for others....

Not having a go at all, just expanding the discussion from a differing angle.

Read it again.

[quote][p][bold]welshmen[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]varteg1[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]welshmen[/bold] wrote:
This Country is built on Christian values whether you like it or not, I don't go to Church but I did when i was younger, probably same as you, when you grow up you have other important values and friendships to make, you make those decisions from what your taught and experienced, you tolerate other religions because your taught to turn the other cheek and respect them, but having said that it doesn't mean you let another Religion take the place of our Historic values we hold for our Countries future and let them rule us, no we would fight to stop that happening, our Queen is head of the C of E and Commanding Chief of our Armies, I like our country the way it is, apart from not having a UKIP Government, I am glad he spoke up for our Christian Values, even though most Natives don't believe in God, It's a growing up thing and not to be hated....[/p][/quote]'Christian values' are one thing, taking children into an educational establishment and ramming values based in fiction, or I should say fantasy,with the proviso they are based in some sort of reality beyond our way of life is something entirely different.
Life is npt a game of football with an established set of rules that have barely changed since the game was first formalised, and although we have come to the present moment utilising morals and values developed over many hundreds of years does not imply we should forever be in hock to some fantastic fairy tale, even if it was the initialising base that founded Christianity.
The morals and values still stand, the matter of Christianity as a viable option for formulating one's life upon is, and has been failing , much as we are born to ultimately die, so it is with religious aspects of life, Life which comes to be based on those same or similar values even if there was no such thing as religion, the very principles of communal living demands we abide by rules that make society works, otherwise chaos would be the name of the game.[/p][/quote]Your having ago at the wrong person, I wouldn't want any child to have religion rammed down their throats, read my post, Christian Based values we all live under except for others....[/p][/quote]Not having a go at all, just expanding the discussion from a differing angle.
Read it again.varteg1

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